Hand-wheel clutch for sewing-machines.



G. E. MOLYNEUX & P. PEGH. HAND WHEEL CLUTCH FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21 1911. 1,1 11,1 Patented Sept, 22, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES:

111E NORRIS PEYERS com PHOTO-Li 7H0 WASIIING row. 1:. c.

G. E. MOLYNEUX & P. BEGH. HAND WHEEL GL-UTOH FOR SEWING MACHINES. APPLICATION TILED 0GT.-21, 1911. 1, 1 1 1 1 68, Patented Sept. 22, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

INVENTORS THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. n c.

Y WM 47 ORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. MOLYNEUX, OF BAYONNE, AND FRANK PIECE, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPO- RATION OF NEW JERSEY.

HAND-WHEEL CLUTCH FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern V Beit known that we, GEORGE E. MOLY- NEUX and FRANK PEGH, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Bayonne, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, and Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new. and useful Improvements in Hand-Wheel Clutches for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to means for temporarily connecting together a rotary shaft and a normally stationary shaft, and is designed more particularly for establishing operative connection between the mainshaft of a sewing machine and a normally stationary hand-wheel shaft employed-for turning the main-shaft by hand in the practical use of the machine.

"The invention has for its object to provide a clutch device whose interengaging parts are normally disenga'gedto permit the main-shaft to run freely without turning the hand-wheel shaft, commonly journaled in the sewing machine frame in transverse relation with the main-shaft, but to effect the'coupling of; said shafts whenever the hand-wheel shaft is turned by the operator.

The invention consists essentially in a primary shaft having a clutch-member fixed thereon and a normally stationary element loosely mounted thereon and having a connection with a second clutch-member normally disengaged from the fixed clutchmember but connected with controlling means in such manner that the turning of the loose member will throw the secondnamedclutch-member into operative engagement with the fixed clutch-member. In the preferred-form of the improvement,

the normally-stationary element is in the form-of a gear-wheel meshing with a similar wheel upon the hand-wheel shaft and has pivotally mounted thereon a clutch-dog provided with two spaced jaws normally maintained "disengaged from the annular rim of the fixed clutch-member by means of a spring, the clutch-dog having a connection with a loose collar upon the primary shaft embraced by a friction strap imposing a yielding resistance to the turning of said Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 21, 1911.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914. Serial No. 655,857.

collar with its supporting shaft and the loosely mounted element thereon.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a part of a sewing machine frame with the main-shaft and hand-wheel shaft journaled therein in transverse relation and provided with the present improvement in its preferred form. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View of the clutch device with the fixed clutch-member omitted, and Fig. 4 an inner face view of the fixed clutch-member and the clutch-dog disposed in operative relation. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 represent a modification of the device shown in the preceding figures, Fig. 5 being a longitudinal sectional elevation and Fig. 6 a transverse sectional elevation of the clutch device, and Fig. 7 a perspective view ofcertain parts thereof detached. Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent another modification of the improvement, Figs. 8 and 9 being Views thereof similar to Figs. 5 and 6 and Fig. 10 being a perspective view of the clutch-band.

The machine frame is shown comprising the hollow base 1 and cylindrical work-supporting arm 2 longitudinally of which is disposed the rotary main-shaft 3 journaled in the bearing bosses 4 and 5 and carrying at its rearward end the belt-pulley 6 through which poweris transmitted to the main-shaft in the normal operation of the machine; The base is provided with the bearing boss 7 in which is journaled the hand-wheel shaft 8 carrying the hand-wheel 9 by means of which the shaft 8 may be turned by hand by the operator.

Secured upon the main-shaft by means of the set-screw 10 is the fixed clutch-member 11 formed at its rearward face with the annular clutch-flange 12 which enters the circular recess 13 in the forward face of the bevel-wheel l4 loosely mounted upon the main shaft and meshing with the similar bevel-wheel 15 secured by means of the setscrew 16 upon the inner end of the transverse shaft 8;

The loose bevel-wheel carries at one side of its recess .13 the stud-screw 17 which enters the aperture 18 within an ear 19 at one end of a swinging clutch-dog in the form of a fiat plate 20 whose opposite end is shaped to afford two spaced jaws'2l and 22 adapted for engagement with the inner face of the flange 12 of the fixed clutch-member. The clutch-dog is shown formed with a central aperture 23 considerably larger than the main-shaft to permit the lateral movement of the dog, and has in its outer end and between the jaws 21 and 22 the elongated aperture 24 which is entered by the head of a stud-screw 25 projecting through a slot 26 in the web of the loose bevel-gear 14 and tapped into the annular flange 27 of a collar 28 loosely embracing the main-shaft adjacent the bevel-gear 14.

The cylindrical outer face of the collar 28 affords a drum which is embraced by a friction-band 29 whose overlapping radially disposed end portions 30 and 31 are drawn together by means of the screw 32. The friction-band 29 is restrained against turning with the collar 28 by the introduction ofthe end of its longer member 31 between two spaced lugs 33 formed upon the lower member of the base 1. Secured upon the main-shaft by means of the set-screw 34 is the spacing collar 35 arranged between the inner end of the bearing boss 5 and the loose collar 28.

The loose gear-wheel 14 has preferably secured upon the bottom of its recess 13 at opposite sides of the stud-screw 17, by means of the screws 36 the oppositely acting springs 37 which bear upon the opposite edges of the clutch-dog 20 and serve to retain the same yieldingly in intermediate or neutral position with its aws 21 and 22 dis engaged from the flange 12 of the fixed clutch-member 11 thereby permitting the main-shaft to run freely while the handwheel shaft 8 remains at rest.

' When it is desired to turn the main shaft by hand, the turning of the hand-wheel 9 and-correspondingmovement of the loosely 28 through the action of the friction-band 29 permanently held from circular movement therewith by means of the detaining lugs 33.

The lateral shifting of the clutch-dog as described causes the engagement of one of its aws w1th the clutch-flange 12, so as to couple the main-shaft with the hand-wheel shaft, after which the continued rotation of the hand-wheel shaft imparts corresponding movements to the main-shaft, the collar 28 being turned in opposition to the resistance of its friction-band 29 by means of the connection of its. stud-screw 25 with the clutchdog. The discontinuance .of turning movements of the hand-wheel shaft interrupts the forcible engagement of the clutch-members and permits the spring 37 then under com pression to return the clutch-dog to neutral or inoperative position, thereby uncoupling the two shafts.

In certain classes of sewing machines the operator frequently employsthe hand as a brake to stop the mechanism withthe needle elevated above the work. In the use of the present improvement a very slight reverse initial movement of the hand-wheel is suflicient to cause the described coupling of the two shafts which will permit the braking 5 force to be applied to the hand-wheel in arresting the rotation of the main-shaft.

The springs 37 serve tohold the clutchdog entirely out of contact with the clutchmember 11, but in practice the jaws of the clutchfdo'gare so shaped that they will disengage themselves from driving relation with the-clutch-fiange 12' as soon as the hand-wheel 9 is-released. i

In the form of the improvement represented in Figs. 5, 6 and? the gear-wheel 14 is shown provided with the screw stud '38.

whose head enters an aperture 39 at one side of a circular clutch-disk 40 provided with an eccentric aperture 41 fittedupon an eccentric 42 which is formed upon the for? ward extremity of the vcollar 28 in front of the flange-'27.

The eccentric 42 being yieldingly held against turning by the action of the strap 29 upon the collar 28, the turning of the bevel-wheel14 by the manual actuation of the hand-wheel throws the screw-stud. .38 laterally so as to turn. the clutchsdisk 40 upon the supporting eccentric, which causesit to grip the inner wall of the clutch-flange 12 upon one or the other side, dependingupon the direction in which the element 14' is turned. v 1 v In the form of the improvement represented in Figs. 8, .9 and 10, the fixed clutch member 11 is formed with a backwiardly projecting hub 43 which is embraced by an elastic friction-band 44 with its thicker end portions bent i-nto'the slightly spaced radial arms 45 disposed in a recess 46 formed in the rearward face of the bevel-gear 14. The

arms 45 are embraced near their outer ends between the heads of the screw-studs 47 tapped into the flange 27 ofthe loose Collar 28', and near theirinner ends by the simila-rly spaced screw-studs 48 tapped into the web of the bevel-gear 14. 1

When the-gear '14 is manually turned, one or the other of the screw-pins 4-8, presses against the adjacent arm 45 of the frictionband 44 and forces it toward the other arm which rests against one of the screw-pins 47 thereby tightening the band 44 upon the hub 43 and thus coupling the gear 14 to the shaft :3, the pins 47 resisting the turningimpulse imparted to the arms 45 by the pins 48 under the action of the fricti'on band :29 upon the collar 28 as described-{in connection with'the preferred form of the improyement'repre- Sented in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The discontinuance of the turning movement of the bevel-gear l4 permits the arms 45 of the friction-band 44 to separate sufiiciently under the resiliency of the band to 'unclutch the hub 43 from the latter and permit the main-shaft to rotate freely while the loose element 14 and the connected parts remain stationary. l

From the foregoing description, it is evident that the present improvement is susceptible of modification in many different forms and that it is not therefore limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts of any of the embodiments thereof specifically shown and described herein.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what we claim herein isl. The combination with a driving element, of a driving clutch-member connected to and movable with the same, a normally stationary driven element, a second clutchmember connected with the driven element and normally disengaged from but adapted for operative engagement with the driving clutch-member, and means applied to the driving element and adapted to turn the same relatively to the driven-element for throwing such clutch-members into operative relation.

2. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member sustained by and movable clutch-member fixed thereon, a cooperating upon said shaft relatively to the fixed clutch-member and normally disengaged therefrom, a normally stationary element loosely mounted on said shaft, and means controlled by the turning movement of said loosely mounted element relatively to its supporting shaft for throwing said clutchmembers into operative relation to couple said element with the shaft.

3. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft, a clutch-member connected with the loosely mounted element and adapted for operative engagement with and normally disengaged from the fixed clutch-member, whereby said element may be coupled to the shaft, and controlling means for the secondnamed clutch-member provided with means for imposing a resistance to its rotation with said shaft.

4:- The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft, a clutch-member connected with the loosely mounted element and adapted for operative engagement with and normally disengaged from the fixed clutch-member, whereby said element may be coupled to the shaft, and controlling means comprising a drum loosely mounted upon said shaft, a connection between said drum and the second-named clutch-member and a friction band encircling said drum and detained against rotation therewith.

5. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted uponsaid shaft, a friction clutch-member connected with the loosely mounted element and adapted for operative engagement with and normally disengaged from the fixed clutch-' member, whereby said element may be coupled to the shaft, controlling means for the second-named clutch-member provided with means for imposing a resistance to its rotation with said shaft, and adjusting means for said friction device to vary the degree of engagement of said clutch device.

6. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft for a circular movement thereon in either direction, a clutch-dog connected with said loosely mounted element for movement therewith in either direction and formed with two peripherally spaced operative portions normally disengaged from but adapted for operative engagement with the fixed clutch-member, and controlling means for insuring the engagement of one of said operative portions of the clutch-dog when sald loosely mounted element is turned upon its supporting shaft in either direction.

7. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft, a clutch-dog carried by said loosely mounted element and provided with a jaw adapted for engagement with the fixed clutch-member, a collar loosely mounted upon said shaft and provided with a connection with said clutch-dog, and a friction device applied to said collar to resist its rotation with said shaft.

8. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft, a clutch-dog pivotally mounted upon said loosely mounted element and provided with a jaw adapted for engagement with the fixed clutch-member, a spring for retaining the clutch-dog normally disengaged from the fixed clutch-member, a collar loosely mounted upon said shaft and provided with a connection with said clutch-dog, and a friction device applied to said collar to resist its rotation with said shaft.

9. The combination with a shaft, of a clutch-member fixed thereon, a normally stationary element loosely mounted upon said shaft, a swinging clutch-dog pivotally mounted upon said loosely mounted element and provided at its free extremity with two spaced jaws adapted for engagement with the fixed clutch-member, a spring for retaining the clutch-dog normally in neutral posiiiQn Wi hI QEh f ts jaws is gag d rom nam s. his .specific tien, in th P esen e ggigl fixed clutch-member, a collar loosely Qf two subscribing Witnesses.

mounted lipon said shaft, provided with v GEORGE E. 1 a Q QQQbi ith a ut hg, d FRA K PEO fpictipg flex ice apppligd to said collar to re itngsses; filst fismtatiqnw h a d shaft.-

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=Ggids pf thi patgnt may be obtained for fiv centsl each, by addregsing the Commissioner 1 Pat nts Washington, I). 0;! r 1 H 

